Sunday in New York [Digipak]

The title, Sunday in New York, conjures up a quiet day in the city, the perfect time for a lazy afternoon filled with one's favorite show tunes. In fact, it is not unlike the show one might have heard from singer Christine Ebersole and pianist-vocalist Billy Stritch at the Metropolitan Room. These performances, in fact, provided the material and simple approach to Sunday in New York, an album with a heavy emphasis on the classic songbook. As one might expect, the team delivers a version of "Sunday in New York," and keeping with this theme, also adds "Walkin' in New York." There are selections from musical favorites like "My Favorite Things," "Surrey with the Fringe on Top," and "Will You?" (from Grey Gardens). The arrangements, piano, bass, and drums, are low-key, and Ebersole and Stritch explore a number of variations on the duo form, from adding no more than supporting harmony on the choruses to full-blown duets. The theatrical approach of the duo will remind many of a lounge act, with an emphasis placed on bright, exaggerated expressions. This approach may seem like a bit much on the upbeat songs on Sunday in New York, generating energetic vocals that are over the top. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.